130 WORCESTER SOCIETY. 



direct and govern its depth, were alike unknown or nnnsed. 

 If, with such an implement, the husbandman was not to be seen, 

 as in the story of Scripture, ploughing with twelve yoke in the 

 fields it was, probably, because the field was easier, or his team 

 stronger, rather than the plough any better than in the days of 

 the Prophet. To improve the construction of this implement 

 has worthily engaged the science and occupied the skill of in- 

 genious and philosophic men. The use to which it is designed 

 indicates the power which it should possess. To divide as by 

 a wedge ; to raise and elevate as with a lever ; and to turn over 

 as upon a pulley, is its office ; and to be perfect in its adaptation, 

 all these mechanical capacities must be united in its construc- 

 tion. At a recent exhibition of the world's ingenuity, skilful 

 and wise men are said to have adjudged the attainment of this 

 excellence to America7i art, and henceforth, the ploughs manu- 

 factured in Massachusetts by Prouty & Mears, and in the rival 

 and no less celebrated workshops of our fellow citizens, Messrs. 

 Ruggles, Nourse, Mason & Co., and of Martin, may be relied 

 upon by the farmer, as models of completeness in design and 

 finish for the accomplishment of his important and ardtious 

 labor. 



It is declared, in the proposals of the trustees, to be the great 

 object of the ploughing match " to excite emulation in the use 

 of this most important instrument of agriculture," as well as in 

 its construction. If the instrument has been carried to great 

 perfection, care should be had that corresponding improvement 

 is attained in guiding its operation. Here the observation, skill, 

 steadiness, and strength of the husbandman are called into ex- 

 ercise. A vacant or wandering eye, and a slack hand, wi'l do 

 little in directing the plough beam aright. The furrow should 

 be uniformly wide, of the requisite depth for the cultivation of 

 the land, and the furrow slice laid up, or laid over, according to 

 the properties of the soil, and its productiveness. Much, also, 

 in the character and economy of the work depends upon the 

 team and its management. It has already become the settled 

 conviction of the trustees of this society, that with one of the 

 improved ploughs, and a single yoke of well matched and well 

 trained oxen of common size, most of the ploughing on a New 



